Dear Common Dreams Readers: Common Dreams is a small non-profit that exists only because of the support of our readers. No advertising; no paywalls: our content is free. But our costs are real. A free and independent press is essential to the health of a functioning democracy. Independent journalism and democracy itself have never been more fragile, more at risk than now. Without your support, we will not exist. Will you join again with those readers who have come forward to make sure Common Dreams has a future?Every donation makes a difference.

Talking About Military Spending and the Pentagon Budget

For Immediate Release

Talking About Military Spending and the Pentagon Budget

NORTHAMPTON, MA - National Priorities Project and the Project on Defense Alternatives today released a new analysis of U.S. defense budgets -- past, present and future. Talking About Military Spending and the Pentagon Budget looks at many of the current issues relevant to the ongoing debate over the appropriate levels of U.S. military spending.

Last month Defense Secretary Leon Panetta offered a preview of the Pentagon's Fiscal Year 2013 budget request. The request for FY2013 is projected at $525 billion for the Pentagon's annual "base" budget, not including war costs and the nuclear weapons-related activities of the Department of Energy. Based on current Defense Department projections, the Pentagon needs to achieve a total of $487 billion in savings over the next decade.

"While this sounds like a lot of money, it really isn't. For example, based on DoD's calculations, they need to cut $259 billion over the next five years on their way to that $487 billion in savings. During that period the Pentagon will still spend over $2.7 trillion -- closer to $3 trillion when adjusted for inflation," notes NPP's Senior Research Analyst, Chris Hellman.

The debate about what the appropriate levels of Pentagon spending are will be critical to this year's budget process. Talking About Military Spending will put you in the center of that discussion.

###

The National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization
that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand
and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Located in
Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal
spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional
district and local levels. For more information, go to
http://nationalpriorities.org.

Further

In the vile wake of Charlottesville - those sweaty young white men, pasty faces contorted, screaming, "Blood and Soil!" "Jews Will Not Replace Us!" "Fuck You Faggots!" - what to say? Just this: This is racism, domestic terrorism, pure hate. This is not who we are, and this is not ok. Most vital, those "whose pigmentation matches theirs" must speak "with unflinching clarity (or) we simply amen it... They need white faces speaking directly into their white faces, loudly on behalf of love."

Common Dreams brings you the news that matters.

Sign up for Newsletter

Connect With Us

X

Your Support Makes A Difference: Over 90% of the Common Dreams budget comes from reader support. We rely on you. Will you join again with those readers who have come forward to make sure Common Dreams has a future? We can't do it without you.